Last year's Currie Cup runner-up the Sharks began their 2018 campaign with a 26-10 win over the Blue Bulls in Durban on Saturday afternoon.
The Sharks scored four tries including a try-on-debut for winger Aphelele Fassi to the Pretoria-based side's two in their bonus-point win to get their campaign underway on a positive note at home.
Three of the hosts' tries stemmed from handling errors, which was an area of concern for the Bulls, as dropped balls and knock-ons consistently interrupted their momentum and gifted the Sharks with valuable possession.
The home side started strongly on a windy day at Kings Park with an attacking scrum in the visitor's 22 after a break and chip from Curwin Bosch which was knocked on by the covering Jamba Ulengo. A few phases later, loosehead prop Juan Schoeman busted over from close range to do the ball down and open the Sharks' account in the sixth minute.
The Blue Bulls responded 10 minutes later as Jesse Kriel ran a good angle to punch over from five metres out to level the scores.
After a penalty, the travelling Bulls held a slender 10-7 lead and looked like they were going to add to it when Jade Stighlinh got the ball in space in the Sharks' 22 but he lost the ball just metres short after a Robert du Preez tackle and it was recovered by Lwazi Mvovo.
The Sharks then went the length of the field with some interplay between lock Hyron Andrews and Daniel du Preez, before Louis Schreuder had to run the wrong direction in an attempt to find support. He found it in Curwin Bosch who received the scrumhalf's long pass infield and had too much gas for the Bulls defenders.
Just before the break, the Sharks struck again. Marius Louw and Robert du Preez showed slick hands on the blindside to set Kobus van Wyk away who beat the last defender to give the hosts a 21-10 lead.
The Bulls thought they had scored the first points of the second half after a quick lineout and a strong carry from Jesse Kriel. However, the TMO intervened to determine that the ball was carried into by the Bulls which resulted in the play being called back for a Sharks lineout.
Just two minutes later, it was the Sharks who has a try called back by the TMO after Marius Louw was deemed to have handled Johnny Kotze in the air before Curwin Bosch crossed the whitewash.
In the 64th minute Manie Libbock was unable to deal with a Cameron Wright box-kick which was gathered by debutant Aphelele Fassi who raced into the corner to score his first Currie Cup try and the first and only points of the second-half to seal the win for the Sharks.
The bonus point win lifted the Sharks to third on the log, tie on points with the Bulls who beat the Free State Cheetahs last weekend.
Next week, the Sharks will travel to Bloemfontein to take on the Cheetahs and the Blue Bulls will host their neighbours, the Golden Lions.